Junction box with detachable supporting means



June l, 1965 H. L. STILLMAN ETAL JUNCTION BOX WITH DETACHABLE SUPPORTINGMEANS Filed May 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 1, 1965 H.| .sT1|.LMANE'rAL 3,187,084

JUNCTION BOX WITH DETACHABLE SUPPORTING MEANS Filed May 4, 1962 ssheet-sneet 2 N VENTOR Har/y ..SIti//man June l, 1965 H. s'rlLLMAN ETAL3,187,084

JUNCTION BOX WITH DETACHABLE SUPPORTING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May4, 1962 VIAE FIG.|O

FIG. I3

FIG.||

United States Patent O 3,187,0i4 JUNCTIN BX Wl'lllfl DETACHAELESUPPRTHNG MEANS Harry L. Stillman, Frank G. Bellen, and Paul J. Zerwes,

Chicago, lil., assigner-s to lieti Electric Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of illinois Filed May 4, 1962, Ser. No. 152,537 11 Claims.(Cl. 17d-5d) his invention relates in general to new and usefulimprovements in electrical junction boxes and more specifically to anelectrical junction box having features rendering it more adaptable touniversal securement without additional adaption of brackets or Clips.

The primary object oi this invention is to provide a unitary electricaljunction box with greater utility than those of the prior art.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a unitary diecast electrical junction box having retractible mounting lugs securedthereto for support and securement of the junction box to a walledsurface.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved unitary diecast electrical junction box having a plurality of retractible securinglugs releasably retained within the bottom wall permitting variousmounting positions of the box to a surface and securely joining aplurality of individual boxes in side-byside gaugable relationship.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved electricaljunction box which is light in weight, rigid in construction andprovides a substantially uniform wall thickness about the pipe conduitapertures thus reducing the amount of stresses set up by the pressuregenerated when inserting a connector or conduit into the internalapertures.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved electricaljunction box whereby a set screw secures a pipe conduit in a boss thuseliminating the need for a threaded pipe conduit or special littings.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved unitary diecast electrical junction box having novel mounting means of a componentmounting plate adapted to receive and support various types ofelectrical components.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel connectingmeans between adjacently secured junction boxes which permits electricalinterconnection between the individual boxes and seals each box from theelements of the weather.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following7 description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

ln carrying out the objects of the present invention, a unitary die castjunction box is provided with parallel side and end walls and a bottomwall secured in contiguous relationship to provide a cavity in which anelectrical component is secured. A plurality of cylindrical bosses areformed internally of the box through which apertures are centrallyformed and extend through the side, end and bottom walls, as desired,for receipt of conduit in which electrical wires are disposed forconnection to the electrical component within the cavity. The junctionbox of this invention contemplates not only the normally experiencedthreaded apertures through the bosses and the walls of the box, but alsoprovides a novel placement of a set screw downwardly through the bossesfor contact with the conduit, thus eliminating the need for threading ofthe apertures, threaded conduit and special connectors.

The box is also provided internally with a plurality oi symmetricallydisposed upstanding pillars adjacent the end walls which extend to anelevation equal to that of the walls of the housing. A supporting web isintegrally formed between each of the pillars and the adjacent wall ofthe housing and extended upwardly to an elevation -below that of thepillars. A mounting plate is positioned over the pillars at each end ofthe box and is supported by the webs. The electrical component to bedisposed in the box, is secured to the mounting plate and a suitablecover is then placed over the open cavity to complete the installation.

Securement of the junction box to a surface and to one another inside-by-side relationship has always been a troublesome and timeconsuming operation for the electrical construction personnel. Thebottom wall of the junction box of the present invention provides aplurality of retractible lugs which may be easily positioned outwardlypast the walls of the box for securing the box to the surface or anadjacent box. The securing lugs are held in the retracted position inthe bottom wall of the box when not in use and are provided withapertures at one end when extended to receive a nail or screw to anchorthe box in position.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FlG. l is a perspective view in front elevation of the electricaljunction box of this invention illustrating the relationship of theretractible securing lugs with the box;

Fl G. 2 is a bottom plan view of the electrical junction boxillustrating the preferred construction of the invention with one of theretractible lugs in the outward extending position;

FlG. 3 is a partially sectioned view taken along the line 3-3 of FlG. 2;

FlG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the electrical junction boxillustrating an alternate embodiment of the retractible lugs of thisinvention with one of the lugs in an outward extending position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the electrical junction boxillustrating another embodiment of the retractible lugs of thisinvention with one of the lug members in the outward extending position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the electrical junction boxillustrating still another embodiment of this invention with one of thelug members in the outward .extending position;

FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned View taken along the line 7--7 of FlG.6;

FlG. 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view illustrating the securement oftwo adjacent junction boxes by a lug member of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary bottom plan view illustrating an alternateembodiment for the securement of two adjacent junction boxes by a lugmember of this invention;

FG. 10 is a fragmentary partially sectioned cut-away view in sideelevation illustrating the electrical interconnection between adjacentside-by-side junction boxes;

FlG. 10a is a fragmentary partially sectioned cut-away view in sideelevation illustrating an alternate electrical interconnection betweenadjacent side-by-side junction boxes;

FlG. ll is an end elevational view of a connector bushing for securingthe boxes for electrical interconnection;

FlG. l2 is a side elevational view of the connector bushing illustratedin FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the sealing washer utilized forsealing the adjacent boxes in weatherproof electrical interconnectionillustrated in FIG. 10.

Referring now in more detail by reference characters to the drawings, ajunction box 10 is illustrated as comprising a unitary cast, open top,shell-like housing 12 including end walls 14 and 15', side walls 13 and20 and a bottom wall 22. The housing l2 is preferably formed of alightweight rugged material such as an aluminum alloy by a die castingprocess. Also formed integrally with and projecting inwardly of the endwalls id and le are longitudinally aligned bosses 23 and Zd. it is to beunderstood that additional bosses may be provided in the walls asrequired for a particular installation such as boss 2d formed in thebottom wall 22. of the housing. The bosses 23, 2d and 26 are illustratedin the drawings as being internally tapped to receive conduit pipes (notshown) which carry the necessary wiring to be connected with the xtureto be received within the junction box itl. When an electrical junctionbox is utilized having additional bosses that are not required for use,the apertures may be closed by suitable threaded plugs to seal thehousing until the apertures are required for a conduit connection.

The housing 12 is further provided with a plurality of upstandingpillars 2S, 3d and 32 symmetrically arranged adjacent each of the endwalls i4 and ltd. ln the embodiment illustrated in the drawings havingonly singular bosses on the end walls, the pillars 23 and 32 extendupwardly from the bottom wall 22 with the pillar extending upwardly fromthe upper surface of the boss 2d. It is to be understood that both endsof the junction box are identical in configuration and the descriptionis limited only to one end of the box for explanation purposes. Thepillar arrangement will be identical with that illustrated in FIG. lwhen additional bosses are provided in the end walls llt and 16 exceptthat the pillars 25 and 32 will possibly also extend from the surface ofa boss. Each of the pillars 2S, 3ft and 32 extend upwardly to a heightflush with the upper edges of the walls of the housing l2 and maintain auniform cylindrical coniiguration as they attain the desired height.

Referring more specically to FIGS. l and 3, web members 3ft, 256 and 38connecting the pillars ZS, 3@ and 32 respectively with the adjacentwalls of the housing l2. The web members 3d, 3d, and 38 are integralwith the side walls and pillars and extend to a height substantiallyless than the elevation of the upstanding pillars ZS, 3ft and 32.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, a mounting plate du, having aperturestherethrough in spaced apart relationship is received over the upwardlyextending pillars 2%, 3@ and 32 and seats on the upper surface of theinterconnecting webs 3d, 36 and 33. The mounting plate d@ is supportedby a solid three point surface which maintains the mounting plate at anelevation flush with the top of the pillars Z8, 3b and 32 and the wallsof the housing l2. lt is to be understood that the mounting plates areprovided to make the junction box adaptable to receive electricalfixtures of different types and dimensions and that an identicalmounting plate is received at each end of the box, thus requiring thefabrication of but a single part to obtain the desired versatileresults.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferredembodiment of the retractible securing lugs of this invention isillustrated as received on the bottom wall 22 of the junction box ttl.The outer surface of the bottom wall 22 is provided with spaced apartreceiving slots 42 disposed diametrically opposite one another adjacenteach end of the box litt. lf the box is die cast, the slots d2 may bereadily formed requiring little if any subsequent machining operation.As readily seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the formation of the sliding slots t2are spaced at predetermined distances, first to provide a uniformthickness to the inwardly formed bosses 2? and 2d permitting uniformstresses to be developed about the bosses and secondly, to provide awidespread, stable securement of the junction box.

Received in each of the slots ft2 is a retractible lug member d4,preferably formed from a lightweight material by a stamping process orif desired, to be formed by a casting operation. The retractible lugs ddare dimensionally formed to permit the disposal of the lug withinV theslots d?. in a manner to either to be completely within the boundary ofthe bottom wall or positioned in an outwardly extending direction forsecuring the box to a surface or an adjacent junction box as will beexplained. To enable the lugs dd to be securely positioned eitherinwardly or outwardly, an abutment is integrally formed in the housingl2 in alignment over each of the slots which is tapped from the bottomwall 22 for receipt of a hold-down screw d3. Adjacent one end of the lugis an aperture through which this hold-down screw is received to clampthe lug firmly within the slot Adjacent the other end of the lug dit,preferably having a rounded contour, is an aperture 5b" therethroughwhich is utilized to receive a securing nail or screw member whenanchoring the junction box to a surface.

Referring now specically to FIG. 3, the retractible lugs ld arepreferably provided with a thickness greater' than the depth of theslots t2 with the back side of the lug being recessed to receive thehead of the hold-down screw 4S. The lugs d4, therefore will elevate thebottom wall 2 2 of the box from the surface to which it is secured andprovide an air space to prevent moisture and to cornpensate forvariation in the surface structure.

As is now readily understood, with the provision of four spaced apartslots in the bottom wall 22 and the four retractible lugs ed, thejunction box may be mounted in a plurality of different positions byutilizing either two, three or four of the lugs and if all of the lugsare not to be utilized, they are easily positioned inwardly and properlysecured by the holding screws ed to be utilized at a subsequent date.Whether the lugs are positioned inwardly or outwardly, they provide auniform balance or four point contact surface for anchoring andsupporting the junction box on the desired surface.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 4, an alternate provision forthe retractible lugs of a junction box of this invention is illustratedwherein the slots t2 are formed in spaced apart diametrical positionwith the retractible lugs de being capable of being disposed entirelywithin the boundary of the bottom wall 2.2 or extended outwardly to beused for securing the box to a surface. The embodiment of FIG. 4provides the slots adjacent and parallel to the side walls rather thanextending inwardly towards the center of the bottom wall parallel to theend walls as shown in the embodiment in FlGS. 2 and 3. The slidinggrooves 42 and the retractible lugs ed of the embodiment of FlG. 5 areformed in identical manner and are secured and positioned as previouslydescribed.

Referring now more specifically to FlG. 5, another embodiment of theretractible securing lugs of this invention is illustrated wherein twospaced apart grooves 42 are formed across the entire width of the bottomwall 22, each receiving an elongated retractible lug having securingapertures Sti at each end and a centrally formed slot 52 through whichthe securing screw d@ passes to be threadably received in the abutmenti6 as previously described. If the retractible lug ill is to beextended, the screw dit is partially released and the lug lli ispositioned on either side of the junction box as desired for theparticular installation and the screw it? is then tightened to anchorthe lug.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a still further embodiment isillustrated wherein two slots l2 are formed, one on each side or" thejunction box bottom wall 22 in spaced apart relationship. To provide thedesired elevated stable securing position whereby the bottom wall 22 isnot in abutting relationship with the surface, a downwardly extendinglip 54 is integrally formed diametrically opposite each of the slots l2as an extension of the side walls. The lip portions 5d depend a distanceequal to the height of the lugs ld below the outer surface of bottomwall Z?. when disposed in the slots Referring now to FIG. 7, thejunction box of this invention is further provided with a novel meanswhereby the pipe conduit entering the bosses 23 and 24 may be securedwithout the utilization of a threaded portion r threaded connectors. Anenlarged tapped aperture 56 is centrally formed through the pillar 30whereby a screw member S may be received and extend downwardly to apoint where the innermost end of the screw member 58 will physicallyengage and clamp the conduit member against the inner side wall of theboss 23. The head portion 63 of the screw member 5S has an outsidediameter equal to that of the pillar 30 with the pillar 3Q being reducedin elevation in an amount equal to the thickness of the head 60. Theuppermost surface of the head portion 6l) will be iiush with the uppersurfaces of the adjacent symmetrically arranged pillars 2S and forreceiving the mounting plate 4b. The screw member 58 is then providedwith a centrally disposed threaded aperture 6I which receives a screwmember 62 to secure the desired fixture or cover plate to the junctionbox. Thus, it is apparent, that not only may the junction box beutilized for a threaded conduit but a conduit may be suitably clampedand secured without the necessity of additional threading of the conduitor connectors.

When the electrician is making an installation utilizing the box itl ofthis invention for the purpose of installingy a fixture, the plates 4l),having the correct mounting holes, are dropped down over the upstandingpillars with the plates seating on the interconnecting webs. The platesthen may be secured, if desired, by peening a portion of the wallagainst the pillars or screws engaging the pillars, to secure the platein position although subsequent securement of the cover plate anchorsthe mounting plate to the pillars. The fixture may then be connectedwith the desired wiring and positioned in the cavity of the junction boxand suitably anchored by the threaded apertures of the fixture plate.

It is of course understood that a suitable cover (not shown) having anaccess opening to suit the particular fixture mounted into the junctionbox may be secured by engaging the tapped openings in the upstandingpillars.

Having installed the desired fixture into the junction box theelectrician will then decide the proper location vfor the junction boxon the wall surface or wherever the junction box is to be mounted, andwill then extend the retractible lugs as required to anchor the entirejunction box to the surface.

The above description has been directed to the securement of a singlejunction box to a surface. Frequently it is desirable to have aplurality of junction boxes electrically interconnected in sealedrelationship and mounted on the same surface in close proximity to oneanother.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8 to i3, inclusive, the retractiblelugs of this invention Aare illustrated as securing adjacent junctionboxes in side-by-side relationship with a novel, sealed electricalinterconnection between the adjacent side walls. The bottom wall 22 ofthe box is provided with slots 42 in the manner described for thepreferred embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Theretractible lugs 44 are positioned and secured as previously described.When securing two or more of the junction boxes in side-by-siderelationship, the extended ends of the lugs 44 of one box is received inthe slots 42 of the adjacent box with the openings SG, previouslydescribed for anchoring the box to a surface in alignment with thethreaded abutment 46 in the adjacent box for securement by a hold-downscrew 4S as best seen in FIG. 9.

An alternate embodiment for the securement of two junction boxes inside-by-side relationship is illustrated in FIG. 8 wherein an elongatedlug 6ft is provided which is received in the opposing slots 152 toincrease the space between the two boxes if desired. rl`he lug 64 isfabricated and is secured to each of the adjacent boxes in the mannerjust described.

CFI

CIK

Referring now more specifically to FiGS. lil-i3 inclusive, it is notonly necessary to secure several junction boxes in adjacentrelationship, as just described, but to permit electricalinterconnection between the individual boxes while maintaining thedesired weatherproof sealing of each individual box.

As best seen in FiGS. l0, ll and l2, a connector bushing 66 preferablydie cast from an aluminum alloy, is provided with a tianged head portion63 integrally formed on a tapered threaded shank portion 7i?. yI`heilanged head portion 63 is received against the inner surface of theadjacent side wall of the box and provides integral spaced apartdepending legs 72 which are also in surfaceto-surface contact with theinner surface of the side Wall with the lowermost surface of the legsseating in the bottom wall of the box. The shank portion extends throughthe opposing apertures in the adjacent side walls and receives thereon,within the cavity of the adjacent box, a washer member 74 and aconnector nut 76. The Washer member 7e is provided with an externalconfiguration identical to the liange head portion 68 of the connectorbushing for surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface of theside wall of the adjacent box.

Since the side walls of the boxes have a slight inward taper, acompression washer 73 as seen in FIG. 13, is provided with a matingtaper for disposal between the outer surface of the two adjacent sideWalls to effect a seal about the shank of the connector bushing with theadjacent side walls of the boxes. The washer 7g is preferably formedfrom an elastomer, such as neoprene, which upon compression, through theaction of the connector nut 76 being tightened, will form a weatherproofseal with the adjacent side walls about the connector bushing 66.

The electrical weatherproof interconnection just described, also servesto securely join the upper portion of the two adjacent boxes together tocombine with the securing lugs previously described to provide a solidcomposite singular unit of the two individual boxes.

Referring now more specifically to PIG. 10a, an alternate embodiment ofthe weatherproof electrical interconnection is illustrated for securingtwo or more junction boxes in side-by-side relationship. As previouslymentioned, the side walls, 1S and 2t) are provided with a downwardly orinwardly taper. Each of the opposing side walls is centrally providedwith a recess surface which is at right angles to the upper and lowerplanes of the box. A conventional pipe nipple 82 is disposed throughapertures in the surface t? and receives on each end thereof forsecurement, a conventional mating connector bushing nut 812-.

To attain the desired weatherproof seal about the electricalinterconnection means, a scaling Washer 86 is disposed about the nipple82 between the adjacent sidewalls. The sealing Washer 36, like washer 78previously described, is preferably formed from a llexible material suchas neoprene, which is easily compressed to insure a leakproof seal aboutthe units.

By providing the tapered side walls with a recess or indented surfaceSil, conventional nipples, nuts and sealing washers may be used to formthe desired weatherproof electrical interconnection between the twojunction boxes.

Front the above description it is now readily understood that theinvention provides an electrical junction box of wide utility forsecurement of various electrical components and that the box may bemounted in the desired position, individually or securely joined inweatherproof electrical interconnection with other similar junctionboxes without additional brackets or clamps. it is realized that variousdesigns and structural modifications of the construction illustratedmight be devised by one skilled in the art, which would be consideredwell Within the purview of the inventor and which should be consideredas being within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An electrical junction box comprising:

aravgosac a die cast housing'having bottom, end and side walls delininga cavity for the receipt of an electrical lixture,

one of said side walls having an opening for the reception of a threadednipple therethrough interconnecting the side wall of an adjacent boxthereto in spaced relationship,

a plurality of pillars within the cavity adjacent to each end wall, oneof which is in close proximity to said side wall,

lug members on the outside of said bottom wall,

means at one end of said pillar for supporting an electric fixture insaid cavity,

supporting means including a screw adjacent to the other end of thepillar for rigidly supporting one of said lug members on said bottomwall,

said bottom wall having a slot in the bottom wall around said screw andlug and extending through the outside boundary of the bottom edge at theside wall adjacent to said pillar, said recess receiving said lug inboth of two alternate positions as secured by said crew in one of whichsaid lug extends beyond said bottom edge for engagement with saidadjacent box when present and also beyond the level of the outsidebottom surface of said bottom wall.

2. An electrical junction box comprising:

a housing having bottom, end and side walls delining a cavity for thereceipt of an electrical lixture,

a boss formed within the cavity on one of said walls having an aperturetherethrough for mating engagement with a pipe conduit,

a plurality of pillars within the cavity adjacent to each end wall, oneof said pillars extending above said boss to a level substantially equalto the height of said one wall disposed above said boss having acentrally formed threaded aperture therethrough communicating with theaperture in the boss,

a screw member received in said threaded aperture engaging and securingthe pipe conduit within said boss,

a supporting web member disposed between a wall and each of saidpillars,

a mounting plate disposed over said pillars at each end of the box andresting on the supporting webs, and

means securing the mounting plate in supported relationship about saidpillars on said supporting web members.

3. An electrical junction box comprising:

a die cast housing having bottom, end and side walls defining a cavityfor the receipt of an electrical fixture,

a boss formed within the cavity on one of said walls having an aperturetherethrough for mating engagement with a pipe conduit,

a plurality of pillars within the cavity adjacent to each end wall, oneof said pillars extending above said boss to a level substantially equalto the height of said one wall and having a centrally disposed threadedaperture therethrough,

a screw member received in said threaded aperture engaging and securingthe pipe conduit within said boss,

a supporting web member disposed between a Wall and each of saidpillars,

a mounting plate disposed over said pillar at each end and resting onthe supporting webs,

means securing the mounting plate in supported relationship about saidpillars on said supporting web members, and

retractable lug members secured to the bottom wall of the housing :fordisposal in alternate positions, one within the boundary of the bottomwall and another extending therebyond for securing the housing to asurface.

An electrical junction box comprising:

a die cast housing having bottom, end and side walls dening a cavity forthe receipt of an electrical fixture,

a plurality o t bosses formed within the cavity on certain walls havingthreaded apertures therethrough for mating engagement with pipeconduits,

a plurality of symmetrically spaced upstanding pillars within the cavityadjacent each end wall, means carried by one of said pillars forsecuring a pipe conduit in one of said bosses,

a plurality of supporting webs within the cavity, each of said websdisposed between a wall and a pillar, upper surface of said web membersat an elevation lower than the upper surface of said pillars,

a mounting plate disposed over said pillars at each end seating on saidsupporting webs,

means securing said mounting plate in supported relationship of saidpillars on said supporting members,

securing lugs on the bottom wall of the housing for securing the housingto a surface, and

supporting means including a screw adjacent to the other end of a pillarfor rigidly supporting one of said lug members on said bottom wall.

5. ln combination with an electrical junction box having bottom, end andside walls deiining a cavity for the receipt of an electrical fixture, asecuring device comprising:

a plurality of elongated securing lugs secured in spaced apartrelationship to the outer surface of the bottom wall of the box andhaving recesses in their exposed faces,

said outer surface of the bottom wall having elongated recessed groovesformed therein partially receiving said securing lugs, and

a screw member passing through each of said securing lugs threadablyengaging the bottom wall securing said lugs to the bottom with theirheads disposed in said recesses, release of said screw memberspermitting the lugs to be disposed in either one of two alternatepositions in one of which the said lugs extend outwardly past the sidewalls, the extended end of each lug having an aperture therethrough forsecuring the box to a mounting surface.

d. ln combination with electrical junction boxes each having a bottom,end and side walls delining a cavity for receipt of an electricalfixture, a securing device for joining a plurality of junction boxes inside-by-side electrically interconnected relationship comprising:

recessed slots formed in the outer surface of the bottom wall in spacedapart relationship adjacent the juncture of the side walls with thebottom wall;

retractible securing lugs disposed within said slots extensible beyondthe side walls of the box, extended ends of the securing lugs on oneside of a box received and secured in the slots on one side of anotherbox when said boxes are positioned in side by side relationship iixedlysecuring the boxes together; and

means for securing the lugs in said slots including fastening elementsinterconnecting the lugs and bottom wall of the box having headsrecessed within the outer face of the lugs.

7. ln combination with electrical junction boxes having bottom, end andside walls defining a cavity for receipt of an electrical component, asecuring device for joining a plurality of junction boxes inside-by-side electrically interconnected sealed relationship comprising:

recessed slots formed in the outer surface of the bottom wall in spacedapart relationship adjacent the juncture of the side Walls with thebottom wall;

retractible securingV lugs disposed within said slots extensible beyondthe side walls of the box;

extended ends of the securing lugs on one side of a box received andsecured in the slots on one side of another box when said boxes arepositioned in side by side relationship fixedly securing the boxestogether;

a connector bushing secured between the adjacent side walls defining acommunicating passage between the cavities of the adjacent boxes, and la seal member disposed about the connector between the side walls of theadjacent boxes forming a leakploof seal about said bushing.

8. The combination called for in claim 7 wherein said connector bushingcomprises:

a head ange portion integral with a tapered threaded shank portion; saidflange portion in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface ofthe side wall of one box;

a washer member received over the threaded shank portion within thecavity of the adjacent box; and

a nut member threadably received on the end of the threaded shankportion to fxedly secure the bushing between the two boxes.

9. The combination called for in claim 7 wherein said seal member is anelastomeric washer configured to matingly engage the contour of theadjacent side walls and the bushing to form a leakproof seal therewithupon compression by the side walls as the connector bushing is fixedlysecured.

10. A weatherproof electrical junction box comprising:

a housing having bottom wall and end and side walls defining a cavityfor the reception of an electrical fixture therein,

a boss formed on one of said walls and bottom wall disposed within thecavity and having an opening through said one of said walls threadedover a major portion of its length for mating engagement with a threadedpipe conduit in sealed relationship,

a pillar within the cavity formed integrally on said boss adjacent saidone wall of said walls and including a web portion extending to andintegral with said one wall, said pillar extending above said boss to alevel substantially equal to the height of said one wall with said webportion terminating a .spaced distance below said level, said pillarhaving an opening therethrough opening into said opening in the box andbeing internally threaded a major portion of its length,

means on said bottom wall for securing said box to a mounting surface,including a plurality of elongated securing lugs partially received inspaced elongated recessed slots formed in the outer surface of thebottom wall on opposite sides of said boss, each slot extending throughan adjacent boundary of said bottom wall and each lug extending in theplane of said bottom to a point beyond said boundary and havingsecurement apertures through the extending portion, the major portion ofthe contour to each slot closely following the contour of its respectivelug supporting same against relative movement in said plane, said slotsbeing spaced at predetermined distances from each other to provide auniform thickness to said boss permitting uniform stresses to bedeveloped about said boss.

11. An electrical junction box comprising: a die cast housing havingbottom, end and side walls defining a cavity .for the receipt of anelectrical xture therein,

a boss formed on one of said end walls and bottom walls disposed withinthe cavity and having an opening through said one of said walls threadedover a major portion of its length for engagement with a pipe conduit,

a plurality of pillars Within the cavity adjacent to each end walldisposed on opposite sides of said boss in close proximity to said sidewalls,

threaded means at one end of said pillars for supporting an electricfixture in said cavity,

recessed grooves formed in the outer surface of the bottom wall adjacentto the juncture of the side walls with the bottom wall and adjacent tothe other ends of said pillars and boss providing a uniform thickness insaid bottom wall permitting uniform stresses to be developed about saidboss,

elongated lugs for supporting said box on a mounting surface received insaid recessed grooves and having recesses in their exposed faces, themajor portion of the contour of each recessed groove closely followingthe contour of its respective lug supporting same against relativemovement in said plane,

support-ing means adjacent the other end of said pillar for rigidlysupporting said lug members including a screw member passing througheach of said elongated lugs with the heads of the screw members receivedin the recesses and threadably engaging the bottom wall within saidrecessed grooves,

the release of said screw members permitting the lugs to be disposed ineither one of two alternate positions in one of which said lugs extendin the plane of said bottom surface outwardly past adjacent side walls,

said elongated lugs having securement apertures through the extendingportions for securing the box to the mounting surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOHN F. BURNS,Primary Examiner. JOHN P. WILDMAN, E. JAMES SAX, LARAMIE E.

ASKIN, Examiners.

5. IN COMBINATION WITH AN ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX HAVING BOTTOM, END ANDSIDE WALLS DEFINING A CAVITY FOR THE RECEIPT OF AN ELECTRICAL FIXTURE, ASECURING DEVICE COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED SECURING LUGSSECURED IN SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE BOTTOMWALL OF THE BOX AND HAVING RECESSES IN THEIR EXPOSED FACES, SAID OUTERSURFACE OF THE BOTTOM WALL HAVING ELONGATED RECESSED GROOVES FORMEDTHEREIN PARTIALLY RECEIVING SAID SECURING LUGS, AND A SCREW MEMBERPASSING THROUGH EACH OF SAID SECURRING LUGS THREADABLY ENGAGING THEBOTTOM WALL SECURING SAID LUGS TO THE BOTTOM WITH THEIR HEADS DISPOSEDIN SAID RECESS, RELEASE OF SAID SCREW MEMBERS PERMITTING THE LUGS TO BEDISPOSED IN EITHER ONE OF TWO AL-